Israeli PM says Abbas peace-seeking rhetoric "not true"

Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-05 03:10:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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JERUSALEM, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted on Thursday the peace-seeking declaration by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the White House the day before, saying it is "unfortunately not true."

In his first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Abbas echoed Trump's hopeful words to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

"We are raising our youth, our children, our grandchildren on a culture of peace," he said.

However, Netanyahu gave a categorical denial to the comment.

"I heard President Abbas yesterday say that Palestinians teach their children peace. That's unfortunately not true. They name their schools after mass murderers of Israelis and they pay terrorists," he said.

The hardline prime minister also said he looks "forward to discussing with President Trump the best ways to advance peace."

"I hope that it's possible to achieve a change and to pursue a genuine peace. This is something Israel is always ready for. I'm always ready for genuine peace," he added.